Air Corps

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Questions (111)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence if any confidential or secret deal regarding pay or allowances was reached with a specific group of personnel within the Air Corps / Fire Service at Casement Aerodrome; if these agreements were made outside of the standard Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) scheme to ensure the continued operation of the airfield; and if she will disclose the date, terms, and the number of personnel who benefited from this arrangement. [33172/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am not aware of any confidential or secret deals having been struck with a specific group of personnel within the Air Corps/Fire Service at Casement Aerodrome.

The Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for the Defence Forces is the primary mechanism for addressing industrial relations issues in the Defence sector. In line with the Irish model of industrial relations, it is a voluntary mechanism which provides structures for management and military Representative Associations to engage on collective issues that may arise. These structures have helped to maintain positive industrial relations in the sector over a number of years. Within the C&A Scheme, there are no arrangements in place whereby individuals may unilaterally threaten the cessation of aerodrome operations.

I can confirm that any matters relating to staffing, operations or industrial relations within the Air Corps Fire Service are managed in line with established governance and operational safety requirements.